Population
Pyramid Lab

Twelve investigations built on real population data. Each one puts two population pyramids side by side on the same percentage scale, then asks four written questions about what the age and sex structure shows, and about what it does not.

Students read age structure, child and elderly dependency ratios, sex ratios and the demographic transition, then explain the geography behind the shapes. Niger against Japan, Qatar against Bangladesh, Bangladesh in 1980 against Bangladesh today, a Pennsylvania college county against its state, a Florida retirement county against Japan, and Sub-Saharan Africa against the world.

All the figures a question needs are given, so students never have to calculate anything. Answers are typed in the browser and saved on the student's own device. Once all four are written, the scoring criteria unlock and students grade their own work. Teachers can print blank worksheets, put the pyramids on screen for discussion, or send a link that assigns a chosen set.

The numbers come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators and the U.S. Census Bureau. These are real estimates, not made up pyramid shapes, and every source is listed inside the activity.

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